Cazenovia — A series of free ice fishing clinics are scheduled across New York State to educate people about the sport and how to safely enjoy time on the ice, including one on Cazenovia Lake on Saturday, Feb. 6.
The clinics, conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, are part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s I FISH NY program, which aims to increase participation and awareness of the fishing opportunities in New York.
The free ice fishing clinic on Cazenovia Lake will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Route 20 Department of Transportation rest area parking lot on the south end of Cazenovia Lake. DEC will supply bait, tackle and the drilling of holes. There will be a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing and DEC staff will be on hand throughout the event to assist participants on the ice. Cazenovia Lake has bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, black crappie, yellow perch and chain pickerel.
“Interest in this wintertime sport is increasing every year, and we are thrilled to provide these free clinics to introduce residents and visitors to the sport and provide them with tips on how to safely enjoy this winter tradition,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Anglers do need to allow solid ice to set up before venturing out for their fishing trip, and our clinics will provide information on how to check for appropriate conditions.”
In addition to these free fishing clinics, Cuomo has designated Feb. 13 and 14 as the state’s first free fishing weekend where the requirements for a fishing license have been suspended. Residents and visitors age 16 and older will be able to fish the fresh or marine waters of New York state without a license.
While a DEC fishing license is not required to participate in these clinics, all other statewide regulations remain in effect. Children under age 16 must be supervised.
continued — Some events may be postponed depending on ice conditions, and interested participants are encouraged to call the regional DEC office to confirm events are still planned. A listing of DEC regional offices is available online at dec.ny.gov/about/558.html
Anglers are reminded that four inches of ice is usually safe for accessing ice on foot. Double that thickness for traveling on white ice. Ice thickness can vary on every body of water or even within the same body of water. Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be taken as evidence of safe ice conditions.
Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can easily be done with an auger or ice spud at various spots.
